Fred Litton

Fred Litton, who holds the Jack and Sue Ellen Jackson Endowed Professorship at Louisiana State University at Alexandria, will become the next dean of the University of Houston-Victoria School of Education & Human Development.

Litton was chosen after a national search. A search committee reviewed the credentials of qualified applicants, and two finalists came to campus for interviews. UHV President Phil Castille then selected Litton as the education school’s next leader.

“Dean Fred Litton brings a wealth of experience to his new position as leader of our School of Education & Human Development,” Castille said. “He has been a dean of education at universities in South Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, and he comes highly recommended to UHV.”

Litton has worked at LSUA since 2004, first as founding dean of the College of Professional Studies and then as a professor of special education. Prior to that, he served as dean of the College of Education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and interim dean of the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas. He rose through the academic ranks at the University of New Orleans, serving as department chair of special education and associate dean of the Graduate School.

His education career spans more than 40 years and includes work as a junior high and high school special education teacher in Bossier City, La., and eight years of service on the St. Tammany Parish School Board in Covington, La.

For the past 20 years, Litton has served as a grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education. He also was appointed by then-Gov. Mike Huckabee to the Arkansas State Council on Education Accountability for two years.

Litton earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in special education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. His Doctor of Education is from the University of Northern Colorado.

“UHV and the School of Education & Human Development have a strong history with great faculty and programs,” Litton said. “The preparation of educators is so important to meeting the future needs of today’s students.”

Phil Castille

Castille said he is looking forward to Litton moving to Victoria and starting his new job July 1.

“Dean Litton has always been a highly effective academic administrator, and his experience will help him to identify the strengths in our School of Education & Human Development,” he said. “I look to him to provide timely and effective leadership for our students, faculty and staff.”

The UHV School of Education & Human Development offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees for elementary and secondary school careers. More than 25 faculty members teach in the school. The school’s VOICE program offers accelerated teacher certification for people who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Graduate study is offered in the areas of curriculum and instruction, math, science, special education, educational leadership, counselor education, and adult and higher education. Professional certificates are available for educators who want to be school principals or school district superintendents.

A graduate-level counseling degree from the school can lead to certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor. The master’s-level counseling programs in the school are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, known as CACREP.

The search committee for the new education dean was composed of UHV administrators, faculty, staff and students. It was chaired by Kathryn Tart, founding dean of the UHV School of Nursing.

Jeffrey Cass

“Dr. Litton brings a deep knowledge of Texas higher education to the table,” said Jeffrey Cass, UHV provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It is a rare opportunity to hire someone with his skills and knowledge.”

Litton said he is honored to be joining UHV.

“I believe that the best years for the university and the school lie ahead,” he said.

Diane Prince, a professor in the School of Education & Human Development, will continue to serve as the school’s interim dean until Litton arrives.

To view Litton’s complete curriculum vitae, visit http://www.uhv.edu/provost/deansearch/Litton-CV.pdf#view=FitV.